By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
When the Burlington High School band Orange Crush got ready to open its season last week, there was maybe a bit more extra anxiety than normal.
“I was very nervous,” said Rachel Gebel, the group’s lead vocalist. “There was a big crowd. My mom told me to jump to get out the jitters and release some nervous energy.”
Faculty advisor/guitar player Rod Stoughton also admitted he had a few nerves, too – because Gebel and the three backup singers were brand-new to the band.
“A little bit, just because we have added a lot of new, young singers,” Stoughton said of feeling a bit nervous. “But the transition has been smoother than I thought it would be.”
The group opened before a large crowd Friday, playing before and during the boys basketball game at BHS against Badger. The boys won handily, 66-53, and the band got what it felt was a good reaction.
Gebel is the younger sister of four-year lead vocalist Micah Gebel, and auditioned against four others for the spot with the band back in the spring.
Joining her on backup vocals are Willow Causy, Gracie Bunker and Jayden Welch.
“Rachel has been around Orange Crush for the last few years,” said Stoughton, pointing out that she had done some backup vocals when Micah was still with the band. “It was kind of nice Rachel knew a lot of the songs already, and so she can kind of step right in.”
The musical knowledge of the group has continued to grow as a result. While the vocalists are new this year, many of the other positions are not. Tyler Krupp remains the group’s drummer, having been in that position since middle school (he’s now a junior at BHS).
Add in an experienced group on horns and other instruments, and Stoughton said they “take a lot of pride in the fact that we’ve seen these musicians grow.”
“The music we’ve been able to do is more difficult than what we would’ve been able to do four-five years ago, because these kids have matured so much in their musicianship,” Stoughton said.
The band opened Friday with the familiar “Boys Back In Town” – the staple for boys basketball, explained Stoughton – but has added some pop hits from the 1980s, including “Love Shack” by the B-52s and “Jump” by Van Halen. Also new is Earth, Wind and Fire’s classic “September.”
“We’re trying to, and will continue to try and incorporate more modern hits,” Stoughton added. Among the latest of those is Taylor Swift’s earworm “Shake It Off.”
When the band – a brainchild of Stoughton and now-retired band director Ron Pedersen – first started, the idea was to give Burlington something different as a pep band.
Stoughton said the band has helped improve the atmosphere at games, fire up the crowd – and maybe give the home team a little extra edge.
“And do it in a unique, musical way,” Stoughton said. “In the last five years, we really have seen a tremendous improvement in the overall culture at basketball games.
“The audience has been really appreciative of what we’ve been trying to do,” he added. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Judging by the reaction of the new singers, they’re having just as much fun.
“It’s really fun for me to be a part of it,” said Causey. “Like there are always so many great people around and it’s almost like a little family.
Rachel Gebel added, “I just want to say that the band members of Orange Crush are all very dedicated and work really hard from the rock band to the horn section.”
“Each member has their own story and personality that makes up Orange Crush,” she pointed out. “It’s been so much fun getting to know them. It’s also great to see how much the crowd gets into the band.”
Orange Crush members
Vocals: Rachel Gebel (lead); Willow Causey, Gracie Bunker and Jayden Welch (backups).
Horns: Rachel Bergles, Adam Fitch, Thomas Allen, Sarah Waltz, Nathan Nelson.
Bass: Chandler Spiewak.
Keyboard: Spencer Spiewak.
Drums: Tyler Krupp
Guitar/Director: Rod Stoughton.
Other adult musicians: Ron Pedersen, Colin Galitz, Brandon Viliunas.
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